Page 105 of To Ashes and Dust
It needed to happen, though. I had to ensure my parents were safe first. After this, I could tell him everything.
“Here are the details of where they’re going so you can work it in to help the transition. My contact will be reaching out to them tomorrow to start the process,” Damien said, slipping me a piece of paper. “We’ll switch out their phones with new ones so no one can contact them. James will email resignations to both of their jobs.
“Thank you,” I said, taking the paper and unfolding it, scanning over the few details I’d need to make this transition easy.
“The company’s in Washington. The job comes with housing, excellent pay, and lots of benefits. I’ll be able to keep tabs on them as well, so you’ll know they’re safe. They’ll have everything they’ll need, and they’ll be able to retire at an early age.”
I lifted my eyes to him, disbelief rushing through me. “Damien, this—”
“Is the least I can do for the sacrifices you’ve made for our kingdom..., for me,” he said, and I pressed the paper to my chest, tears welling in my eyes. He pulled me into a tight embrace. “I’m only sorry this is all I can do, and I’m sorry I kept everything about Kat hidden from you.”
I forced a smile, despite the dread filling my chest.
Damien’s forehead eased to mine, warmth filling me as he offered me what comfort he could. “I’ll be here every step of the way, mea luna. Reach out to me when you’re ready.”
The metal door clicked open, pulling me from the memory of this morning, and I stiffened as Dr. Robertson entered. His brows rose as he tilted his head forward to gaze at me over his reading glasses. “Wow, Cas. You look like a completely different person since I last saw you.”
I forced an awkward smile. “I’ve been eating better.”
He opened my file, reviewing the notes from the nurse. “I see that. Your weight’s perfect.” He lifted his chin, glancing at me before continuing to read the notes. “Have you been exercising?”
I nodded. “I started jogging again and I’ve been learning self-defense.”
“Your blood pressure is the best I’ve seen in years,” he said, glancing back at the file.
Something swelled in my chest. He sounded the most hopeful I’d ever heard. Had they already finished reading the MRI?
“How did the MRI look?” I dared to ask.
“They’re still reading it, but it should be ready before you leave.” He approached me, removing his stethoscope from around his neck. “How have you been feeling since your last visit? Any issues?”
I sat back as he pressed the stethoscope to my chest. “Good. Nothing out of the ordinary, some chest pain here and there.”
He listened to my heart, changing position a few times before moving to my back. I sat in silence, waiting for him to speak. “Breathe for me.”
I inhaled deeply, holding it for a second before slowly exhaling.
“How has your implant been? Is it still in place? Has it caused any issues?”
I scratched my arm at the reminder of the birth control they’d placed there several months ago. It would’ve been too risky for me to get pregnant with the complications and the medication I was on. I’d been against it at the time, not seeing the point, as I wasn’t sexually active. Now that I was with Damien, though, I was glad to have it. “It’s still in place. I haven’t had any issues.”
“Did your period ever start back up?”
I shook my head. My periods had been irregular for years, and then at some point over the last two, they had stopped entirely. The doctors had ruled it as a side effect of my medications and treatments. It didn’t matter either way.
He placed the stethoscope back around his neck. “We’re gonna run some blood tests and run an EKG while we wait for them to finish reading the MRI.”
I nodded, and a knock sounded at the door.
“Ah, perfect timing. Come in, Jenn,” he said.
The nurse opened the door. “I’m going to draw some blood, Cas. Is that ok?”
I smiled weakly at the nurse, who’d been here for as long as I could remember. “Yeah.”
Dr. Robertson turned back to me. “I’ll be back as soon as the MRI’s done.”
“Okay,” I said, and he slipped out of the room.
